Surgeon s case



(No Model.) 2 Sheets- Sheet 1. C. H. TRUAX. SURGEONS CASE.

N0. 435,108. Patented Aug.26,1890.

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(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2. G. H. TRUAX.

SURGEO'NS GASE.

No. 435,108. Patented Aug. 26, 1890.

FTQ/6146130 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. TRUAX, OF CHICAGO, ILLIYOIS.r

SURGEONS CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 435,108, dated August 26, 18290. Application tiled May 26, 1890. Serial No. 353,184. (No model.)

.To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Bc it known that I, OHARLEs H. TRUAX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, Cook county, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgeons Cases, ot' which the following is a speciiiation.

My invention is a case for amputating or surgical instruments, constructed, as fully set forth hereinafter, so as to avoid the necessity of employingindepend'ent disinfectng or sterilizing trays, and so as to enable every portion of the case to be subjected to the action of cleansing implements and sterilizing-luid.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of my improved case open, the racks being detached. Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the two parts of the tray detached with the racks in position. Figs. 3 and 4 are detached perspective views of parts of the fastening devices. Figs. 5 and 6 are cross-sections on the lines 5 G, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the covering-plate; Fig. 8, an end view of the case closed.

The case consists of two similar trays A B, stamped up or formed, preferably, each of a single piece of metal, with the sides or iianges connecting with the top or bottom portion by curves, so as to avoid sharp corners in which any matter might collect and remain undisturbed in the cleansing of the tray. By Inaking each tray of metal it may be employed as a water-tight receptacle for aseptic iiuid for sterilizing the instruments used during an operation. By this construction the use of su pplemental sterilizing-trays is avoided.

To enable each tray or section of the case to be readily converted into a tray for the aseptic Iiuid and avoid the necessity of removing v each instrument singly and rearranging the instruments into position when the case has to be packed, I provide each tray With a rack C or D, constructed to support the instruments that are to be placed in that portion of the case. Thus the rack C of the sectionA consists of a metal base 1, with end anges or standards 2 3, each having openings or slots 4 4, adaptedV for the reception and retention of the implements to be supported by the rack, care being taken to round the corners between the base and anges of the rack to avoid forming narrow corners in which any matter may collect in a position to escape contact with the scrubbingbrush when the rack is cleaned. For the saine reason the slots or openings 4 are all Iliade of sufiicient size to admit the brush or cleansing implement.

The construction of the rack C is that adapted for the retention of long instruments extending the length of the case, and to retain these instruments and the rack in position when the case is being transported I make use of cross-bars E, each ot which extends across the tray in position to coniine the instruments in place, and each cross-bar has an opening 5, from which a narrow slot 6 extends to one edge to permit a rod 7, provided with a lateral handle 8, to be passed through the opening and slot and then turned to the position shown in Fig. 2 t0 confine the cross-bar in place. The rod 7 is temporarily connected with the bottom portion of the tray by hav'- ing a conical head 9, fitting between two lugs l0 l0, having adjacent beveled edges receiving the said head 9 between them and preventing the upward movement of the rod. This constitutes a sufficiently-firm connection for the rod, but permits it to be readily displaced by shifting it to one side and leaves an open space between the lugs l0 for the passage of the cleansing-brush. It will further be seen that every part of the connecting-1-od and of the cross-bar is so exposed as to be readily cleansed. The other section B of the tray is provided with a rack D for supporting smaller or shorter instruments, such supports consisting of uprights l2, formed by slitting the plate 13, constituting the base of the rack, so as to permit a limited portion to be turned up and properly shaped to constitute the upright of the desired shape and dimensions, the entire rack being thus formed without sharp corners or joints, so as to be readily and thoroughly cleansed.

To secure the various instruments supported by the rack D in place, a retainingplate F, corresponding with the interior of the tray, is placed above the rack and held in place by a suitable fastening. For instance, one edge of the plate F is passed below lips la at one edge of the tray, and piv- IOO oted turn -buckles lor latches are then swung to engage beneath lips 16 at the opposite edge of the tray, as shown in Fig. 6.

In order to secure access to every part of the plate F and latches 15, the latter are connected by means of' T-headed studs 17 upon the latches passing through corresponding slots 18 in plate F, when the latches are parallel with the edges of said plate, and serving to hold the latches to the plate with a pivotlike connection when the latches are turned after the insertion of their studs through the opening.

The two sections or trays constituting the case may be secured together in any suitable manner; but in order to secure a hinge-joint that will retain them under ordinary circu 1nstances, but that will permit them to be dis.-

connected, and also permit access to every portion of the hinge to cleanse and sterilize lthe same, I construct such hinge by means of two separated tubes 19 20, secured in line with each other to the edge of one tray A, one or both of said tubes having a longitudinal slot 2l, and I support upon the edge of the other tray or section a pintle-rod 22, connected with said section by a narrow neck 23, adapted to pass through one of the slots 2l. The two sections thus constructed are connected by passing the rod 22 first through the tube 20, the neck 23 passing through the slot 2l, and then into the tube 19, the two sections being held at about right angles to each other, and when the neck 23 is between the two tubes 19 2() and the angle of the trays is slightly changed the said neck will abut against the edges of the inner ends of the tubes and prevent the movement of one longitudinal tray or section independently of the other, while they may swing back and forth to open and close the case.'

The case might be secured by any suitable fastenings, as by pins 25, passing through coinciding perforated ears 26 27 upon the two sections.

It will be seen that the tubes I9 20, ears 26 27, and pintle 22 and its support are all so constructed that the surface of each part may be readily accessible to clean' and sterilize the same.

Although I have referred to the case as made of two sections or trays of metal, it will be evident that the same may be made of vulcanized rubber or other hard and water-proof material, and that the general form and construction may be modified or changed without departing from the main features of my invention.

Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, I claim- 1. An aseptic ampntating-case consisting of two water-tight trays having rounded cor ners provided with detachable supports for the instruments, and with devices for connecting the trays detachably together, substantially as set forth. n

2. The combination, with the detachable water-tight sections of an aseptic case, of racks for supporting the instruments, consisting each of a base with upright standards free from sharp corners or sockets, and of waterproof material, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the aseptic tray and rack for supporting the instruments thereof, of perforated and slotted cross-barsE and securing-rods 7, connected detachably with the tray, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the tray, rack, and cross-bar, of securing-rods 7, each provided with a conical head adapted to lit between beveled-faced lugs upon vthe tray, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination,with the section B of the aseptic case, of a covering-plate F,` provided with latches 15, having T-headed lugs adapted to slots in the plate, substantially as described.

6. The combination, in an aseptic case, of two trays or sections A B, one provided with separated tubes at the edges, one or both of said tubes having a longitudinal slot and the other provided at one end with a pintle, the central portion of which is connected with the tray by a narrow neck, substantially as and for the purpose4 set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

CHARLES Il'. TRUAX. Witnesses:

M. L. BROWN, E. E. PALMER. 

